The owner of a kebab shop seeking to stay open later has hit back at police opposition to its bid, claiming he was a lifesaving hero during a previous stabbing.
McKlunky's, in High Street, submitted a proposal to serve fast food until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, an extra hour longer than its current times.
But police opposed the move in documents published on Havering Council's website.
PC Chris Stockman said in a letter on behalf of the Metropolitan Police that the force "cannot support" the application as it believes it will lead to "large intoxicated crowds" gathering, which will likely cause "crime and disorder".
In a sub-committee licensing meeting on July 26, police reiterated their calls for the change to the premises licence to be refused by councillors, citing likely public nuisance if it goes ahead.
Owner Asif Khan disagreed with the arguments, countering that McKlunky's is a household name with "very good" community relations.
Police concerns relate to an attack in High Street in February 2023 where they say the victim and suspect were allegedly let in the shop after closing time at 1am, an argument ensued and an individual was "slashed across the neck".
Senior public protection officer at Havering Council, Mike Richardson said: "Our main concern is the public nuisance that will be caused by customer noises.
"At the moment they [residents] are probably used to be up until 1am, but adding another hour to it will severely impact their problems until 2am in the morning on Friday and Saturday," he added.
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In response to the arguments put forward by the Metropolitan Police and Mr Richardson, Mr Khan disputed that the attack occurred outside his premises, and said he has had no complaints from people in the area about noise.
"The incident did not happen outside my premises," Mr Khan said. "It happened away from my premises, but me getting involved in a knife fight was just a heroic act.
"I put my life in danger and potentially saved a young man's life by giving him first aid, and calling the police and ambulance at the same time," he added.
In a prior letter to Mr Khan on March 3 in 2023, PC Stockman said it was "unacceptable" that a violent incident occurred outside of opening hours.
"I note your licence states you must close at 1am on Friday and Saturday night," the letter read. "This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately."
But Mr Khan and his brother, also in attendance, sought to reassure the council and police that security measures were in place to prevent future incidents.
"If we find any customers not following rules or have been identified as problem creators we register them and refuse them service in future."
Mr Khan added that McKlunky's had taken steps to minimise congested service by offering a limited menu during licensed hours of kebabs, chips, wraps and burgers, with their usual peri chicken items off the menu from 11.30pm.
Delivery service also halts at 11.30pm, he said, a move designed to prevent disruption to nearby residents from couriers.
But Casey Conway, a public protection officer opposing the plans, said: "This premises is solely a takeaway with a small area for customers to wait.
"It is likely that patrons will consume their food within the facility," Mr Conway added. "This could result in a congregation of patrons in and around the premises leading to noise and potentially anti-social behaviour."
The council sub-committee will now deliberate and a written decision will be communicated to all parties in five working days.
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